Month: November 2015

1 Comment Posted on parenting, reviews, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: You Got to Pet and Feed Dolphins at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park!

5 years.

Dear Jack: You Got to Pet and Feed Dolphins at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park!

Dear Jack,

Six months ago when we stayed in Pensacola, Florida, we had planned a trip to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Fort Walton Beach. However, when we arrived, we learned that a baby dolphin had just been born that day, so the place was closed as everyone was taking care of the newborn.

Now, six months have passed and we decided to visit the Gulfarium again, while staying in Destin for your “destination birthday party” for your 5th birthday.

It was a short drive in the 2015 Lexus GX from our resort. The first thing you did was buy some souvenirs with some of your birthday money.

Dear Jack: You Got to Pet and Feed Dolphins at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park!

You loved being able to see all the marine animals, right there on the Gulf Coast. But by far, the highlight of our visit was when you got to pet and feed the dolphins; for something called Discover Dolphins.

I was particularly impressed by the way the staff handled the situation: After having already paid the extra $22 for you to be able to go out to the tank to pet and feed the dolphins with a few other children, you became afraid to go out there so close to the water.

Dear Jack: You Got to Pet and Feed Dolphins at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park!

Mommy and I were unable to give you enough of a pep talk to convince you otherwise.

However, the dolphin trainer took notice that you had stayed behind instead of going out to the dock with the other kids. After she had already let the other kids pet and feed the dolphins, she came back especially for you.

She recognized that at the minimum age requirement for the event, which is 5 years old, you needed some extra attention to gain the confidence to out to the water.

Had it not been for her being gently proactive on her end, you would have missed out on such a magical opportunity.

Being able to pet and feed the dolphin is definitely one of your favorite memories from our trip to Destin for your birthday; and that’s saying a lot, because our family did a lot of cool things during our stay!

It was such a “once in a lifetime experience”. It’s not something kids get to do on a regular basis.

Dear Jack: You Got to Pet and Feed Dolphins at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park!

I totally recommend the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park to all families vacationing in anywhere in the stretch between Destin and Pensacola.

Dear Jack: You Got to Pet and Feed Dolphins at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park!

It was a very exciting family experience. Granted, I would recommend budgeting the extra money for the Dolphin Encounter. It’s completely worth it.

I’m so glad we finally were able to go there!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: You Got to Pet and Feed Dolphins at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park!

 

4 Comments Posted on parenting, reviews, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Our Amalfi Coast Condo Rental in Miramar Beach Near Destin, Florida

Our Amalfi Coast Condo Rental in Destin, Florida

Last weekend our family stayed at a condo rental called Barefoot by the Sea, which is part of the Amalfi Coast Resort on Miramar Beach. We had such a great time that I felt it was worth sharing with anyone out there who is considering staying in the Destin, Florida area.

We chose to stay there as part of our son’s “destination birthday party” for his 5th birthday. Things were made extra special when I learned we would be able to drive a 2015 Lexus GX 460 there and back, from our home near Nashville, Tennessee. (That’s a perk of being a blogger!)

Because rentals in Amalfi Coast Resorts not directly on the beach, but instead, just across the street from it, prices are more affordable than most Destin resorts we looked into.

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However, we still had a great ocean view from the kitchen and living room; as well as the deck, where we could enjoy the fresh beach at any time.

Our Amalfi Coast Condo Rental in Destin, Florida

Additionally, the place contains 2 full bathrooms, as well as a master bedroom and a set of bunk beds in the hall, where our son slept. It was his first time to get to sleep in a bunk bed.

We had plenty of room. We are already trying to figure out when we can go back and stay there again. The place was perfect for our family’s needs.

Though we never took advantage of it, we also had access to the 2 swimming pools on the property.

Instead, we spent much of our time at the private beach, which was just right across the street. We had access to a gazebo which grants access to the beach.

It was very private. I think we were the only ones on that private beach each time we were out there.

Not to mention, it’s location within Destin itself was a good central location to plenty of restaurants, grocery stores, as well as fun family activities, like the Gulfarium and the dolphin cruise; both of which we participated in.

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In closing, please check out the casual video tour I made using my Samsung Galaxy S4:

I totally recommend this place. In fact, please feel free to ask me any questions you may have about it.

2 Comments Posted on Nostalgia, parenting, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: What Happens When You Give $100 to a 5 Year-Old Boy for His Birthday?

5 years.

Dear Jack,

We just got back from your “destination birthday party” in Destin, Florida. Instead of having a party back home in Tennessee, the 3 of us (technically 4, if you count Baby Holly or Logan in the womb) decided to take a family vacation to celebrate your 5th birthday. To make things extra special for you, Lexus let us drive a Lexus GX for the trip!

Dear Jack: What Happens When You Give $100 to a 5 Year-Old Boy for His Birthday?

Over the next week or so, I’ll be writing plenty more about your destination birthday party. But as for today, I should mention one of the overall themes our 4 ½ day vacation.

As we were leaving Tennessee, I Instagrammed a picture of you with the stuffed animals you chose to bring on the trip.

Jack is bringing a few of his friends along for the ride.

          Jack is bringing a few of his friends along for the ride.

In the likeness of the 1985 movie Brewster’s Millions, you felt the need to spend all $100’s worth of your gift cards you received as birthday presents before we left Florida.

Mommy and I put the additional cash and checks that you received into your savings account, but as the $100 in gift cards, we decided it was fair to let you manage how it was spent.

After all, it was your birthday party and birthday weekend. Mommy and I wanted it to truly be a big deal to you.

So as soon as we arrived in Destin, we stopped at a Barnes & Noble where you spent your first $15; on a “Shark Week” shark.

I Instagrammed that event as well:

And the beginning of the birthday money spending begins...

 And the beginning of the birthday money spending begins…

We took you to Target to let you possibly spend some of your remaining $85. While Mommy looked around for stuff she needed, I hung out with you for nearly an hour in the toy aisle; serving as your budget manager.

I helped explain to you how much things cost and how much remaining birthday money you would have if you bought that item.

For example, you were interested in a Power Ranger gun that you had seen on their show… but it cost $27!

You ended up buying a $13 Play-Doh ice cream shop. And boy did you have fun with that once we got back to the resort!

However, that was the only item you spent your $100 on that wasn’t a stuffed animal.

You later bought a baby shark while we were on the dolphin cruise. And then a baby penguin when we visited the Gulfarium. Then several more stuffed animals throughout the course of our trip…

Of course, we reminded you that you didn’t have to spend all $100 on the trip. But again, it was your birthday, so we wanted it to be your decision on how you spent the money; since it wasn’t cash that Mommy and I would have put in your savings account without you knowing it.

Dear Jack: What Happens When You Give $100 to a 5 Year-Old Boy for His Birthday?

We reminded you had enough money to buy anything at all you wanted… even a brand-new bike!

However, the reality of it is that as a 5 year-old boy whose parents both work full time, there’s not a lot of time for you to ride your bike; especially since how weekends are often filled with running errands, like buying groceries and getting maintenance done on our cars.

When I considered which toys you actually spend the most time playing with, it’s not the plastic ones so much.

Dear Jack: What Happens When You Give $100 to a 5 Year-Old Boy for His Birthday?

Granted, you love building Legos and you love your massive Hot Wheels and Thomas the Train collections… but ultimately, your exhaustive stuffed animal collection gets the most play time.

Every morning when we get ready for school, you always choose 2 animals to take to school with you.

I get it. You don’t see them as toys, but as real animals that you enjoy taking care of. You love pretend that they are babies that you are in charge of.

Granted, that concept goes well with the fact you have a baby brother or sister on the way…

I recognize these stuffed animals serve as tools for your psychological and social development. They’re much more than just stuffed animals.

Dear Jack: What Happens When You Give $100 to a 5 Year-Old Boy for His Birthday?

So it doesn’t bother me that you spent $100 on stuffed animals (and a Play-Doh set) during your destination birthday party. I’m all for it.

I’m for whatever toys are going to help your development as a little boy. You spent most of your $100 on stuffed animals because in your currency, they hold more value than any other kind of toy.

Ultimately, a decade from now, it’s all the same anyway. Looking back, I’ll know that whether you spent your birthday money on stuffed animals or Power Rangers or Ninja Turtles, it made you happy as a boy on 5th birthday.

And that’s all that matters to me.

Love,

Daddy

6 Comments Posted on parenting, Pregnancy, Spirituality, Uncategorized

Dear Holly or Logan: Your Biblical Middle Name

18 weeks.

Dear Holly or Logan: Your Biblical Middle Name

Dear Holly or Logan,

We are just 6 days away from finding out, and 7 days away from announcing to the world, whether you are a boy or a girl.

Over this past weekend while we were in Destin for your brother Jack’s 5th birthday, Mommy and I finalized what your middle name will be.

Either way, your middle name will be Biblically based.

If you are Holly, your middle name will be Joy. Originally it was going to be Jane. I personally love the name Jane so much. However, Mommy pointed out that “Holly Jane” sounds a bit like “Mary Jane.” We didn’t want your named to be synonymous with marijuana.

However, if we ever have a 3rd child, and she was a girl too, the plan is for her first name to be Jane. I just love that name.

So Mommy chose Joy instead, for your middle name. Your middle name will serve as a reminder that in life, we must choose joy.

The Bible is full of reminders of the importance of “choosing joy” in the Lord despite what happens in life. One example is this verse, 1 Thessalonians 16-18:

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

If you are Logan, your middle name will be Jeremiah. This is a name I had originally picked for your first name, but Mommy and I decided we wanted you to have a shorter first name.

While I was in college at Liberty University, one of the guys in the dorm room next to me was named Jeremiah. He is the only person I have ever known with that name, but I really like it.

The Biblical reference there is in the verse, Jeremiah 29:11, which is this:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Just this morning your brother Jack was watching an episode of VeggieTales on Netflix called “It’s a Meaningful Life,” in which the theme was that we are not here by accident; that God has a special plan for each one of us.

The name Jeremiah will serve as a reminder that you are special in the eyes of God, as he has a special plan for you; as He does all of us.

So now we will wait about a week to find out what your middle name is; but more importantly, whether you are a boy or a girl.

Love,

Daddy

3 Comments Posted on Health, Storytelling, Uncategorized, vegan

Vegan Guest Blogger Anne Chrétien of My Lighthearted Kitchen

Recently I began inviting potential guest bloggers to send me their vegan/vegetable recipes, in my attempt to help create a collaborate experience. After all, I know there are plenty of families out there who aren’t actually vegan/vegetarian, but who are experimenting with vegan/vegetarian recipes.

One of the first to respond was Anne Chrétien of the blog, My Lighthearted Kitchen.

As a guest blogger today, she tells about her conversion to veganism:

“After ten years of being vegetarian, I decided to go vegan with my boyfriend… two years ago!

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At the beginning, most of the recipes I tried were dupes for our favorite dishes: I bought already made sauces, seasoned tofu burgers, hummus and a ton of other already made vegan products. Because I tried to keep gluten out of the kitchen, choosing products to buy was a little bit complicated and we soon fell in a loop of the same recipes over and over again.

However, we were happy! We felt great in our bodies, and more comfortable with our conscience. We had a ton of energy, my skin cleared up, and we were not hungry all the time.

During these first few months, we tested a lot of vegan products, but quickly realized that we were better off with cooking from scratch. First because the already-made products were often filled with a lot of additives, fat and salt. Second, well, their prices started to add up, and, well, I’m just a high-school teacher.

So I started to buy some vegan cookbooks, explored the internet for some recipes and tips, but most of all, I started to experiment more. I started making my own hummus, buying in bulk, and invented some fun recipes that I share on my blog. I also learned a lot more on nutrition, what vegetables to always have on hand, how to eat a ton of greens without feeling like a rabbit and how to use avocado in a 100 ways (okay, almost a 100 ways…).

IMG_0157

When I read stories of people going vegan, they always say that they have lost a ton of weight. Did this happen for my boyfriend and me? Yes. We started to eat vegan and turned into supermodels and made the cover of Vogue magazine.

After ten years of being vegetarian, I decided to go vegan with my boyfriend... two years ago! At the beginning, most of the recipes I tried were dupes for our favourite dishes: I bought already made sauces, seasoned tofu burgers, hummus and a ton of other already made vegan products. Because I tried to keep gluten out of the kitchen, choosing products to buy was a little bit complicated and we soon fell in a loop of the same recipes over and over again. However, we were happy! We felt great in our bodies, and more comfortable with our conscience. We had a ton of energy, my skin cleared up, and we were not hungry all the time. During these first few months, we tested a lot of vegan products, but quickly realized that we were better off with cooking from scratch. First because the already-made products were often filled with a lot of additives, fat and salt. Second, well their prices started to add up, and, well, I'm just a high-school teacher. So I started to buy some vegan cookbooks, explored the internet for some recipes and tips, but most of all, I started to experiment more. I started making my own hummus, buying in bulk, and invented some fun recipes that I share on my blog. I also learned a lot more on nutrition, what vegetables to always have on hand, how to eat a ton of greens without feeling like a rabbit and how to use avocado in a 100 ways (okay, almost a 100 ways...). When I read stories of people going vegan, they always say that they have lost a ton of weight. Did this happen for my boyfriend and me? Yes. We started to eat vegan and turned into supermodels and made the cover of Vogue magazine. Not really. Not really at all. Not at all. I'm guessing that we had too much fun cooking and tasting yummy recipes of cakes, cupcakes, chocolates, nice cream, cookies, noodles, pies, soups,... what were we talking about? Ah, yes, the most important thing that we realized through being vegan is that vegan food tastes amazing and is so satisfying. I did note an amazing skin improvement however... which is pretty amazing! Really, I don't see myself going back to eat meat or dairy any time soon, if ever. Not only is vegan food incredible, the ethics that pushed us to be vegan in the first place is just too present for us to be tempted to go back. So what's the next step for me and my boyfriend? Well, we have recently started to grow our own food, and have found new ways to do it too. This whole process as been such an incredible learning process filled with delicious discoveries. Well, I'm going to stop here because I'm starting to get cheesy, and well... that's not vegan.

Not really. Not really at all. Not at all.

I’m guessing that we had too much fun cooking and tasting yummy recipes of cakes, cupcakes, chocolates, nice cream, cookies, noodles, pies, soups,… what were we talking about? Ah, yes, the most important thing that we realized through being vegan is that vegan food tastes amazing and is so satisfying. I did note an amazing skin improvement however… which is pretty amazing!

After ten years of being vegetarian, I decided to go vegan with my boyfriend... two years ago! At the beginning, most of the recipes I tried were dupes for our favourite dishes: I bought already made sauces, seasoned tofu burgers, hummus and a ton of other already made vegan products. Because I tried to keep gluten out of the kitchen, choosing products to buy was a little bit complicated and we soon fell in a loop of the same recipes over and over again. However, we were happy! We felt great in our bodies, and more comfortable with our conscience. We had a ton of energy, my skin cleared up, and we were not hungry all the time. During these first few months, we tested a lot of vegan products, but quickly realized that we were better off with cooking from scratch. First because the already-made products were often filled with a lot of additives, fat and salt. Second, well their prices started to add up, and, well, I'm just a high-school teacher. So I started to buy some vegan cookbooks, explored the internet for some recipes and tips, but most of all, I started to experiment more. I started making my own hummus, buying in bulk, and invented some fun recipes that I share on my blog. I also learned a lot more on nutrition, what vegetables to always have on hand, how to eat a ton of greens without feeling like a rabbit and how to use avocado in a 100 ways (okay, almost a 100 ways...). When I read stories of people going vegan, they always say that they have lost a ton of weight. Did this happen for my boyfriend and me? Yes. We started to eat vegan and turned into supermodels and made the cover of Vogue magazine. Not really. Not really at all. Not at all. I'm guessing that we had too much fun cooking and tasting yummy recipes of cakes, cupcakes, chocolates, nice cream, cookies, noodles, pies, soups,... what were we talking about? Ah, yes, the most important thing that we realized through being vegan is that vegan food tastes amazing and is so satisfying. I did note an amazing skin improvement however... which is pretty amazing! Really, I don't see myself going back to eat meat or dairy any time soon, if ever. Not only is vegan food incredible, the ethics that pushed us to be vegan in the first place is just too present for us to be tempted to go back. So what's the next step for me and my boyfriend? Well, we have recently started to grow our own food, and have found new ways to do it too. This whole process as been such an incredible learning process filled with delicious discoveries. Well, I'm going to stop here because I'm starting to get cheesy, and well... that's not vegan.

Really, I don’t see myself going back to eat meat or dairy any time soon, if ever.

Not only is vegan food incredible, the ethics that pushed us to be vegan in the first place is just too present for us to be tempted to go back.

So what’s the next step for me and my boyfriend? Well, we have recently started to grow our own food, and have found new ways to do it too.

This whole process as been such an incredible learning process filled with delicious discoveries. Well, I’m going to stop here because I’m starting to get cheesy, and well… that’s not vegan.”